I Want...

You know what's sad? When a lack of photo evidence makes me wonder if I have anything of substance to post!

This week's workouts have been therapeutic and necessary. Report card season...Oh how it hurts. Add daylight saving on top of that and you have a recipe for disaster.

Monday I had a great run with Kristin, which helped me put into words quite a few things that have been eating at me. It's great how running does that.

I did T25 on Tuesday, missed my run Wednesday to see an old student (worth it), and rested Thursday (and went to bed before 9pm...again, necessary).

Today I got up early and went to Elizabeth's to do the double T25 workout that Fridays call for. It's amazing how accomplished you feel after getting a hard workout in early. I'm finally feeling normal, so there's a morning run on tomorrow's docket for me.

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I've been thinking a lot lately about things I want. That saying about discipline is true. Discipline is shelving what you want now for what you want most. 

In a world of instant-gratification, it's not an easy thing to ask of ourselves, but it's an important thing. And like anything that's important, sometimes putting it into words and committing ourselves to it (and here it is, folks, my word of the year: dedication!) helps us make it real.

As I was attempting to narrow down my list of "wants" to something truly meaningful, I realized there's just so much to look at. It's hard to narrow it down.

So here it goes.

I want...To make smart decisions in health and fitness that will fuel my running and keep me healthy. I want to be a successful athlete...whatever that means. The first step: Eat right and train right...complete the training for November's scheduled marathon...and run it!

Tuesday post-workout I wanted cookie-fruit-pizza, but chose an apple instead. Progress.

I want...To nurture my friendships so that they don't fall by the wayside when life gets crazy. I want to be the kind of friend people know they can rely on and have fun with. The first step: Set aside time to call people. See nearby friends in person more often. Grab a coffee or a glass of wine. Invite people shopping. Whatever. Be willing to step out of my comfort zone and be more social.

I'm doing my best to stay in touch!

I want...To be more of a risk-taker when it comes to things that really matter to me. The first step: Identify what those things are and figure out an action plan to get there.

I want...To travel. The first step: Start saving some money and figuring out where I really want to go!

So very true.

I want...To write more. The first step: Set aside time everyday to turn off the TV, shelve my phone, and be diligent about writing.

I want...To know I've made a difference in someone's life. The first step: Do my best to truly connect with others and be a valuable person to them. Put real effort into my relationships, both personal and professional.

Notes from students in...2011? (Time flies...I can never remember!)

I want...To be less stressed out, so I can enjoy life more. The first step: Prioritize. By putting first things first and getting the stressful stuff out of the way, there will be more time for fun.

It seems like a lot. But I know my life will be better because of it.

What do you want most?

ABK

My "3 R's" and a "W"

You know what always bugged me? Being the grammar nut I am, the "3 R's" drive me nuts. Two of the three words don't even start with R, and the one of them doesn't even really have the R sound...you have to butcher it into some weird slangy version of itself to make it work!

But of course, when something sticks, it sticks. Here are my "3 R's" lately.

Reading:
I've gotten through quite a few books so far this school year...I'm well on my way to my 30-book goal. The next on my list is Hollow City, which is Ransom Riggs's followup to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, which I adored.

I'm pretty annoyed with American Psycho. As much as I enjoyed it as social commentary, I'm baffled by its purposeful ambiguity. I get it, we don't really know if Bateman is a serial killer or not. But I just wish there were some more solid clues to go by!

After picking-up-and-putting-down The Book Thief a few times, I finally finished it over winter break and truly enjoyed it. Death's perspective and way with words was immensely distracting at first, which is why I abandoned the book a few times, but eventually the florid language settled down and I was able to get into the story.

Writing:
Most bloggers are writers; that's why we're drawn to blogging. I'm sad to admit I haven't finished an actual manuscript in years (I've spent the last two editing the last one I finished), but I'm finally taking some steps to find an agent and maybe get published. Sometimes we need to face our fears and put our guts on display.

It's time to buckle down, put first things first, and get back into writing more consistently.

Running:
I hit a milestone this week! It's the first time I've ever had a bruised toenail! I'm so proud!

Can you tell?! (It's the little purple dot on my second toe!)

If I'm being honest, I must admit all my runs have been tough lately. My pace has slowed down significantly. When I was doing the summer run streak, I took 40-60 seconds off my pace; now I'm back up almost 90 seconds, despite doing speed-work and cross-training! I know adding distance and running on fatigued legs is probably the cause, but I'm pretty discouraged at how slow (for me) I feel lately.

MLK run...6.5 miles of lead-legs.

All I can do is keep chugging away. I know the tides will turn again.

Weekend:
We spent the long weekend enjoying the weather. Matt had a SUP race and three of our friends also paddled! Sean came to paddle straight from the half marathon some of my Ragnar teammates ran!

Super happy for them!

I was impressed. Everyone placed, which was awesome, and Matt came in first overall!

Tell me about your "3 R's"!
Did you have a long weekend in honor of MLK?

ABK